Fierté Montréal to step up security at Pride festivities after deadly attack in Berlin

Montreal Pride organizers say they will bolster security in response to the Berlin Pride attack that left one person dead and 29 injured over the weekend.

“The events that took place in Berlin deeply sadden us… We express our full solidarity with the organization, those affected, their loved ones, and the entire community,” wrote Higino Monteiro, interim executive director of Fierté Montréal, in a statement.

“We strongly condemn this attack and call for unity within our movements to support our communities and protect the spaces that allow all people to live their identities freely, celebrate, and advocate for their rights in safety.”

With just two weeks left to Montreal’s own Pride parade — which will take place on Aug. 9 at 1 p.m. — security is an “absolute priority” for Fierté Montréal, executive producer Mélanie Reeves told Radio-Canada on Sunday.

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She explained that 10 per cent of Fierté Montréal’s overall budget is dedicated to security, and that all emergency procedures had been submitted to the appropriate authorities, including the provincial and municipal police, as well as the fire department and Mobility Montreal.

In the Village, on Sainte-Catherine Street East, which has been pedestrianized since the beginning of the summer, concrete blocks will be added, particularly on bike paths, according to Fierté Montréal. And the organization also plans to review its security access measures.

“We’re not immune to incidents like this in Montreal,” Reeves told Radio-Canada.

“That’s why we need to step up vigilance when it comes to putting teams in place and securing spaces, and that’s what we’ve been doing over the past few weeks.”

Fierté Montréal added that the Olympic Park site, where part of the celebrations will take place, is already secure. Visitors will have to pass through a metal detector at the entrances, and the site has its own security team, which already has experience with large events, Reeves explained.

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Wild Pride, another Montreal Pride event that launched last year, also shared its support and solidarity with everyone affected by the Berlin Pride attack.

“We are sending love to Berlin’s queer community,” the group wrote on Instagram on Sunday.

“We stand with you. Hate will never erase our joy, our solidarity, or our commitment to continue gathering together and to protest together.”